The main task of the National Fonds is to provide financial support for victims of National Socialism as quickly, flexibly and unbureaucratically as possible. It was established in 1995, the 50th Anniversary of the Second Republic, in order to "remember all the immense wrong inflicted on millions of human beings by Nazism as well as the fact that Austrians, too, were involved in these crimes." To date over 18,000 applicants worldwide have received payments from the National Fonds. The Fonds pays according to age priority. In case of grave illness or social need, payments to younger persons can be made earlier - in case of social hardship the amount of 70,000 Austrian Schillings (approximately $6,000 US dollars) can be tripled.

Application for compensation may be made through the Austrian Embassy in Washington, DC. Contact:

Allgemeiner Entschädigungsfonds für Opfer des Nationalsozialismus
[General Settlement Fund for Victims of National Socialism]
In February 2001, the Austrian Parliament unanimously adopted the Federal Law on the Establishment of a General Settlement Fund for Victims of National Socialism. The fund will be endowed with US$210 million provided by the Republic of Austria and Austrian companies.

The deadline for submitting applications to the claims committee awarding payments for losses or damages of property is May 28, 2003.

Applications to the Arbitration Panel for in rem restitution of real estate are due October 5, 2003.